Secretary-General condemns teacher killings in Pakistan

School children attending class at Noor Model School in Shamshatoo, Pakistan. Photo: IRIN/Sumaira Jajja

Local and national authorities are being urged to boost their efforts to ensure schools are respected as safe and secure places of learning.

The call comes from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who says the international community must work together to prevent violations of the right to education.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Ban condemned recent violent attacks on teachers in Pakistan where six teachers have been killed since January, including a woman teacher at a girls' school who was murdered this week.

In addition to the tragic loss of life, Mr. Ban said violence against teachers traumatizes students and discourages parents from sending their children to school.

He said attacks on women teachers are particularly heinous as they affect girl students who see the teachers as role models.